Chapter 6: Fractured Truths
1305 Words
The warehouse was silent except for the hum of Nova’s device. The decrypted data from Echelon Corp. was still displayed on the screen, its revelations hanging over them like a storm cloud.
Project Awakening wasn’t about the game.
They weren’t the first test subjects.
The others had been terminated.
The words echoed in Aria’s mind.
She clenched her fists, staring at the screen as if she could will it to say something different. Something less horrifying.
Kai was the first to break the silence. “So, what? They experimented on us? Like lab rats?”
Nova exhaled. “Not just us. The game was a front for a larger program. They’ve been testing people for years.”
Luna hugged her knees, her voice barely above a whisper. “And the others… they didn’t make it.”
Zane kicked an empty crate across the floor. “And now they’re coming for us.”
Aria turned to Nova. “Is there anything in that data about what happened to them? Did they try to escape?”
Nova scrolled through the files. “Some. A few managed to resist, but they were… ‘neutralized.’ Echelon didn’t want loose ends.”
Kai ran a hand through his hair. “And now we’re the loose ends.”
The weight of the truth settled over them.
But Aria refused to let fear win.
“They won’t do to us what they did to the others,” she said, standing tall. “We’re not just their test subjects. We’re alive. We’re stronger than they ever expected.”
Kai smirked, despite the tension. “Damn right.”
Nova nodded. “If we fight back, we need a plan. Running isn’t an option anymore.”
Zane crossed his arms. “So, what’s the play? We storm their HQ, guns blazing?”
Luna shook her head. “That would be suicide.”
Aria turned to Nova. “There has to be something in that data we can use against them.”
Nova’s fingers flew across the keyboard. “I’m looking. If we want to take them down, we need leverage—something they can’t cover up or erase.”
Her screen flashed.
A restricted file had been partially decrypted.
Echelon Corp: Subject Records – Phase II
Nova’s eyes widened. “This is it.”
She clicked on the file. The text appeared in fragments, but one phrase stood out.
Active Subjects: 06
Aria frowned. “Wait… six?”
Luna blinked. “There’s another one?”
Kai leaned closer. “Who’s the sixth?”
Nova scrolled down, but the data was corrupted. “I can’t see a name, but it confirms they’re still out there. Alive.”
Zane whistled. “So, we’re not alone after all.”
Kai cracked his knuckles. “Then we find them.”
Aria nodded. “If they’re like us, they might have answers.”
Nova pulled up the last readable coordinates in the file. “Looks like they were last detected near the industrial district.”
Luna hesitated. “What if they don’t want to be found?”
Aria exhaled. “Then we convince them.”
---
The Search for the Sixth
Night had fallen over Neo-Eden, the city’s neon glow stretching endlessly into the distance. The industrial district was a maze of abandoned factories, storage units, and rusting machinery.
The group moved cautiously, sticking to the shadows.
Nova had traced the coordinates to a run-down warehouse on the outskirts. Its windows were shattered, and graffiti covered the walls.
“This is the place,” Nova whispered.
Kai tested the door. “Locked.”
Zane smirked. “Not for long.”
He stepped forward, raising his hand. A low vibration pulsed through the air before the lock snapped clean off.
Kai grinned. “Show-off.”
Zane winked. “You love it.”
Aria pushed the door open, stepping inside. The air was stale, filled with dust and the scent of rust.
Then she felt it.
A presence.
Before she could react, a shadow moved—fast.
Something blurred past her, striking Kai in the chest. He flew backward, crashing into a pile of crates.
Zane barely had time to react before another strike sent him sprawling.
Aria spun, raising her hands defensively. Energy crackled around her palms, illuminating the figure standing before them.
A young man, no older than twenty, his silver hair streaked with blue. His stance was poised, controlled.
His eyes, glowing faintly, locked onto Aria.
“You should have stayed away.”
---
The Sixth Subject
The air between them crackled with tension.
Kai groaned, pulling himself up. “Damn. He hits like a truck.”
Zane wiped blood from his lip. “That’s new.”
Aria held her ground, keeping her energy at bay. “We’re not here to fight.”
The stranger didn’t lower his guard. “Then why are you here?”
Nova stepped forward cautiously. “We found your file in Echelon’s database. We know what they did to us. We thought you might too.”
His eyes flickered, something unreadable passing over his face. “You don’t know anything.”
Aria narrowed her eyes. “Then tell us.”
For a moment, he hesitated.
Then, with a sigh, he let his stance relax. “My name is Riven.”
Luna stepped closer. “How long have you been hiding?”
Riven leaned against a metal beam. “Long enough. I was part of an earlier phase of the experiment. I woke up before you did. But I knew what Echelon was doing. I ran before they could use me.”
Zane raised an eyebrow. “And what exactly are we?”
Riven’s expression darkened. “They call us Augments. Enhanced beings designed to surpass human limitations.”
Kai folded his arms. “Designed? Like weapons?”
Riven nodded. “That’s what Project Awakening was really about. Not a game—a recruitment program. They weren’t just awakening abilities. They were testing us. Seeing who was strong enough to survive.”
Aria’s stomach churned.
Nova’s voice was sharp. “And the ones who weren’t?”
Riven’s gaze was grim. “Eliminated.”
Luna shuddered. “How many?”
Riven’s voice was quiet. “Hundreds.”
Silence.
Zane’s jaw clenched. “So what, they were building an army?”
Riven nodded. “One they could control.”
Kai scoffed. “Guess they didn’t count on us thinking for ourselves.”
Aria took a deep breath. “If that’s true, then Echelon won’t stop hunting us. We need to stop them.”
Riven watched her carefully. “And how do you plan on doing that?”
Aria met his gaze. “We bring them down.”
Riven studied them, then smirked. “You’re either brave or stupid.”
Kai grinned. “Bit of both.”
Riven sighed. “You won’t win. Not as you are now.”
Nova frowned. “What do you mean?”
Riven pushed off the beam. “I mean you’re still thinking like normal people. Echelon isn’t just a corporation. They have eyes everywhere. You fight them, and they will come for you.”
Aria lifted her chin. “Then let them.”
Riven watched her for a long moment. Then, for the first time, he smiled.
“…Alright. I’m in.”
Luna blinked. “Wait, just like that?”
Riven chuckled. “I’ve been fighting alone for too long. Maybe it’s time that changed.”
Kai clapped him on the back. “Welcome to the rebellion.”
Nova looked back toward the warehouse entrance. “We should get moving. If Riven’s right, they’ll be tracking us.”
Aria nodded. “Then we stay ahead of them.”
With their new ally, the fight against Echelon had truly begun.
And this time, they weren’t just playing defense.
They were going to war.
- Writer
